Life of Cotmt Rumford. 161 



results of them as given in his Essays. These labors 

 ranged from subjects of the homeliest nature in their 

 bearings upon the thrift, economy, and comfort of life 

 for the poorest classes, through enterprises of wide- 

 extended and radical reform and comprehensive be- 

 nevolence, up to the severest tests and experiments in 

 the interests of practical science. Eleven years were to 

 pass before he returned to England, then, too, only for 

 a visit, for the purpose of publishing the rich results of 

 all his devoted and multiplied efforts. He was most 

 favorably situated, alike amid circumstances calling for 

 and admitting of his wonderful reformatory and benevo- 

 lent zeal, and with just such patronage and sympathy 

 from the head of the government as would secure for 

 his schemes the means for giving them full and favora- 

 ble trial. The Elector was from first to last his con- 

 stant friend, never thwarting him, never holding back 

 his aid ; but, on the contrary, ready always to advance 

 every plan of his, and to espouse his views when ques- 

 tioned or opposed by other counsellors. 



When, on the ist of July, 1796, Sir Benjamin signed 

 the Dedication of his Essays for publication in London, 

 that Dedication, of course, being by permission, 

 "To His Most Serene Highness The Elector Palatine, 

 Reigning Duke of Bavaria, &c., &c., &c," he gratefully 

 acknowledges his obligations thus: 



" In requesting permission to dedicate to your most erene 

 Electoral Highness these Essays, I had several important ob- 

 jects in view. I was desirous of showing to the world that I 

 had not presumed to publish an account of public measures and 

 institutions, planned and executed in your Electoral Highness' 

 dominions, by your orders and under your immediate au- 

 thority and protection, without your leave and approbation. 



